This bill amends several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to improve project oversight and coordination. Key provisions include the requirement for the assistant secretary of project delivery to consult with the chief engineer on project matters, the establishment of a transparent process for publishing construction and maintenance information, and the creation of an interactive online system for monitoring project statuses statewide. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget regarding unexpended allotments and project delays. Significant changes include granting exclusive authority to the office of Louisiana Highway Construction over the State Highway Improvement Fund and emphasizing transparency and public engagement in highway project prioritization.

Additionally, the bill proposes amendments to the management of highway projects, such as changing the title of "chief engineer" to "assistant secretary for project delivery," who will have the authority to select engineering experts for project evaluation committees. It also stipulates that proposal review committee members must not have served on the qualifications evaluation committee, and their scoring will be publicly available. The warranty period for construction contracts is reduced from three years to one year, and the process for selecting the lowest bidder in tied bids is clarified. Other changes include maximizing third-party contracts for highway maintenance, introducing penalties for utility delays, and modifying definitions related to the debarment committee, all aimed at streamlining project delivery and enhancing efficiency in highway maintenance and construction.

Statutes affected:
HB556 Original:
HB556 Engrossed:
HB556 Reengrossed:
HB556 Enrolled:
HB556 Act :